The Strong New York Podcast

Kenny Santucci

Being STRONG is more than just how much weight you can lift. The Strong New York Podcast is dedicated to inspiring you to become your strongest self- in the gym, in business, in relationships and in life. Join Kenny as he sits down with his strong as f**k buddies and shoots the shit on what it takes to be strong willed, strong minded and physically strong. Season one features everyone from entrepreneurs and local business owners to doctors and industry leaders in the fitness and wellness space. With over a decade of experience, Kenny Santucci has made himself known as one of New York City’s top trainers and a thought leader in the health and wellness industry. After transforming his life at 15 years old through fitness, Kenny made it his mission to transform the lives of those around him. Kenny has trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, and Frank Ocean, and has been tapped as a fitness expert sharing his training approach with Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Runner's World, SHAPE, Well+Good, among other publications. Kenny is the creator of STRONG New York, NYC's only Health and Fitness Expo. Strong New York is an immersive day of workouts, wellness experiences, panel discussions, and inspiring conversations with the best in-class wellness professionals, industry leaders, and change makers who are sharing their expertise on today's hottest wellness trends and first-hand experiences on how to optimize your overall health and life. You can find Kenny at The Strength Club, his private training and group strength training facility in the heart of Manhattan located on 28th and 5th Ave in New York City.

  1. 4d ago

    This Mindset Shift Separates The 1% from Everyone Else | Giovanni Vaccaro

    On this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Giovanni Vaccaro — co-founder of Glamsquad, an on-demand beauty service platform and founder of Peak Mode Coaching, his high-performance coaching business for executives, founders, and entrepreneurs. Strength isn't just something you build in the gym — it's a mindset. Giovanni breaks down his journey from shampooing hair 25-30 times a day at a top Manhattan salon to building a beauty-tech company from the ground up, and the mental toughness, discipline, and "radical responsibility" that took him from stylist to CEO to executive coach. This one is packed with lessons on staying strong through setbacks, building unshakable habits, and why nobody is coming to save you. In this episode:- Growing up in an immigrant Italian family and the blue-collar work ethic that shaped him- Paying his dues: 2.5 years shampooing hair before ever touching scissors- The "light bulb" moment that led to founding Glamsquad- Building the mental strength to shift his identity from "hairstylist" to "entrepreneur"- Why imposter syndrome is actually a sign of strength, not weakness- Hiring for your weaknesses and killing the "self-made" myth- Glamsquad's near-collapse during COVID — and the strength it took to rebuild- His non-negotiable 5am routine: meditation, prayer, gratitude, training- Training for his first marathon and the obsession behind elite performance- The 3 things every strong, high performer has in common- "No one's coming to save you" — radical responsibility and ditching the victim mindset- Why he started Peak Mode Coaching and how identity-first coaching builds mental strength Chapters:0:00 – Intro: Radical responsibility & don't play the victim2:10 – Welcome Giovanni Vaccaro + Strong New York 10th Anniversary4:00 – Growing up Italian, working for his father, discovering the salon world8:15 – Telling his dad he wanted to be a hairdresser10:00 – Starting at the bottom: 2.5 years to become a stylist14:30 – Building a client book & why every person is an opportunity18:00 – The Glamsquad "light bulb" moment22:00 – Shifting identity from stylist to entrepreneur25:30 – Imposter syndrome as a sign you're playing a bigger game28:00 – The power of a great business partner32:00 – Hiring for your weaknesses, not your ego36:00 – Launching Glamsquad & the slow build to viral growth41:00 – What makes a great Glamsquad pro (and the hiring process)45:00 – Money vs. purpose: what really drives high performers50:00 – His 5am routine: meditation, prayer, gratitude, cold plunge55:00 – Training for his first marathon & building mental strength59:00 – The 3 non-negotiables of every strong, high performer1:03:00 – "No one's coming to save you" — radical ownership1:08:00 – Losing weight at 13 and the discipline that followed1:14:00 – Glamsquads' worst year (COVID) and the rebuild1:18:00 – Why he started Peak Mode Coaching1:23:00 – Identity-first coaching & closing thoughts CONNECT:  Follow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow the Strong New York Podcast: @strongnewyorkpodFollow Giovanni Vaccaro:  @giovannivaccaro #GlamSquad #EntrepreneurMindset #Selfimprovement  This episode is sponsored by:🔥 Celsius — the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Follow @celsiusofficial on Instagram for all the new flavors.🩸 Marek Health — optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance at marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY for 10% off Diagnostics, Supplements, and Guided Optimization.🤝 Founders Club — a trusted circle of 2,500+ builders across North America who share resources, open doors, and raise the bar for entrepreneurship. Learn more at FoundersClubOfficial.com.

  2. Jul 8

    Dr. David Rabin: The Neuroscience of Learning, Safety & Why Gen Z's Brains Are Struggling

    Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Dave Rabin (co-founder of Apollo Neuroscience) joins Kenny Santucci to break down why modern life feels so complicated — and why it doesn't have to be. From his new book "A Simple Guide to Being Alive," Dr. Rabin explains the neuroscience of bottom-up learning, why Gen Z is the first generation to score lower on cognitive tests than the one before it, how screens hijack your nervous system, and why feeling safe is the foundation of learning, healing, and manifestation. They also get into caffeine, nicotine, and nootropics from a neuroscientist's perspective — and why we should treat plant medicines with respect instead of abuse.If you've ever felt like you don't know how to sleep, calm down, or focus — this episode is your reset button. #Neuroscience #StrongNewYork #ApolloNeuro #MentalHealth #podcast  CONNECT:  Follow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyorkFollow Dr.David Rabin: @drdavidrabin This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for 10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

    Dr. David Rabin: The Neuroscience of Learning, Safety & Why Gen Z's Brains Are Struggling

  3. Jul 1

    Can Caffeine & Nicotine Actually Make You Smarter? with Dr. David Putrino

    Most people have been told caffeine and nicotine are bad for you — but what does the science actually say? This week, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Dr. David Putrino, neuroscientist and Director of Rehab Innovation at Mount Sinai, to break down the truth behind nootropics, brain optimization, and the substances that could sharpen your focus and performance. Dr. Putrino shares what it's really like to work at the intersection of elite athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation — and why the strategies used to train special forces operators and professional athletes aren't that different from what helps stroke patients recover. Plus, they dive deep into one of the most important and undertalked health crises happening right now: long COVID and its devastating effects on cognition and energy. In this episode: Why caffeine and nicotine have been unfairly demonized — and what the research actually showsThe truth about nootropics and how to build your own cognitive "stack"How elite athlete training and stroke rehab are more similar than you thinkLong COVID and the brain: why millions of Americans are still struggling with brain fog and fatigueThe supplements and treatments Dr. Petrino uses with his 4,000+ long COVID patientsCreatine, lion's mane, L-theanine, nicotine patches, and more — what works and for whomThe future of personalized nootropics based on your DNACONNECT:  Follow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyorkFollow David: @putrino_lab This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for 10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

  4. Jun 24

    Running 4,600 Miles Across the Sahara, 18 Months in Federal Prison & 33 Years Sober with Charlie Engle

    What does it take to run across the Sahara Desert, survive federal prison, maintain 33 years of sobriety — and come home to be a full-time caretaker for the person you love? Charlie Engle has lived all of it. In this episode, Kenny sits down with ultramarathon legend, New York Times bestselling author, and charity: water ambassador Charlie Engle for one of the most raw, real, and inspiring conversations we've ever had on the show. In this episode: Why being a caretaker for his wife for 10+ years has been harder than any race or prison sentenceHow running 4,600 miles across the Sahara Desert changed his relationship with sufferingThe truth about what federal prison is actually like — and why the system isn't built to rehabilitate anyoneHow 33 years of sobriety shaped his identity, discipline, and driveHis upcoming charity: water expedition and why he keeps chasing the next impossible goalThe mindset shift that took him from always asking "what's next?" to learning to live in the present momentWhy owning your narrative is everything — and what happens when you let others tell your storyCharlie's story isn't just about physical endurance. It's about what it means to keep moving forward when life strips everything away — and why the only compass that matters is the one inside you. CONNECT:Follow Charlie:  @charlieengleFollow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

  5. Jun 17

    The Future of Clean Caffeine with Richard Mumby, CEO of Wip Energy

    What if you could get all the energy of a pre-workout or energy drink — without the bloat, the bubbles, or the $6 price tag? Richard Mumby, CEO of Wip Energy, is betting the answer fits in the palm of your hand. In this episode of the Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Richard to break down why Wip's clean caffeine pouches are disrupting a multi-billion dollar industry — and why 85% of Americans who already consume caffeine daily are ready for something smarter. In this episode, we cover:- Why energy drinks are losing ground to caffeine pouches — and what makes the pouch delivery system so effective- The truth about caffeine: how much is too much, and why it's one of the most studied and beneficial ingredients in the world- How Wip went from a 2-year stealth formulation phase to hitting 10,000+ retail doors (Wawa, Murphy's, Quick Trip, and more)- The CEO's journey from Wall Street finance to leading a next-gen consumer brand- Why your mindset matters as much as your macros — and the powerful lesson Richard learned watching his 83-year-old father give himself a pep talk- The untapped consumer: why Wip isn't just for gym-goers, but for everyone hustling through a demanding day Plus: Richard and Kenny talk about the upcoming Strong New York event (September 26th at The Glass House), influencer marketing strategy, festival season, and what's next for Wip. CONNECT:Follow Richard:  @rpmumbyFollow Wip Energy:  @wipenergyFollow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

  6. Jun 10

    The Man Who Invented Personal Training: Body by Jake

    This week, Kenny sits down with Jake Steinfeld — the man who literally invented the personal training industry. Jake opens up about losing his home in the LA Palisades fire, why he still trains at 4:15am every single day, turning down Nike before they created "Just Do It," and the anonymous poem that shaped his entire life philosophy from age 14. From posing with the Village People to doing stunt work as The Incredible Hulk, from Cold Calls in Hollywood to building a fitness empire seen in 90+ countries — this episode is a masterclass in betting on yourself when nobody else will. In This Episode: How Jake created personal training as a profession (there was no blueprint)The steroid decision at 19 that changed everythingLosing his home in the Palisades fire & what he grabbed on the way outWhy he turned down Nike's offer to buy "Don't Quit"GLP-1s, fitness culture, and what the industry gets wrongThe mindset behind never missing a workout — everBody by Jake Radio & what's coming nextCONNECT:Follow Jake: @bodybyjakeFollow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

  7. Jun 3

    He Went from Corporate Finance to Exposing the Fitness Industry's Biggest Trends - Jake Heyen

    This week Kenny Santucci sits down with Jake Heyen — the fitness industry analyst and founder of Wellworthy who blew up on Instagram by delivering no-BS, news-style breakdowns of the brands, events, and trends shaping health and fitness culture. Jake shares the full story: from studying finance and statistics in college, to building a workout subscription platform during COVID, to joining Playbook as Director of Operations — and ultimately growing one of the most trusted voices in the fitness media space. In this episode, we get into: How Jake built his audience from zero with a completely different content styleWhy he almost quit before realizing it was actually workingThe brands he thinks are absolutely crushing it right now His take on the biggest fitness trends: community gyms, HYROX-style events, home health tech, and the rise of strength culture for womenWhy he turned down every podcast — until this oneWhether you're a fitness entrepreneur, creator, or just obsessed with the industry, this episode is packed with real insight from someone who's been behind the curtain. CONNECT:Follow Jake: @jakeheyenFollow Kenny: @kennysantucciFollow Strong New York: @strongnewyork This episode is sponsored by Celsius, the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Visit @celsiusofficial on Instagram to see all of their new flavors! This episode is sponsored by Marek Health. Optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance. by visiting marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY at checkout for  10% Marek Diagnostics, Supplements and the Marek Health Guided Optimization signup.

  8. May 29

    The Man Who Wants to Change Sports Forever - Christian Angermayer, Founder of the Enhanced Games

    On this special bonus episode of the Strong New York Podcast, Kenny sits down with Christian Angermayer, founder of the Enhanced Games — a new global sports competition that recently made its debut in Las Vegas, where elite athletes pushed the limits of human performance and are openly encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Christian is a billionaire biotech investor and one of the loudest voices advocating for the future of human performance and psychedelic medicine. In this episode, we get into ALL of it:- How one dinner conversation in 2014 completely changed his life — and may have changed the world — after his first psychedelic experience- The truth about performance-enhancing drugs, medical supervision, and why athletes deserve the right to compete enhanced- Why the Enhanced Games is paying athletes MORE than they've ever made — and what that says about the broken Olympic model- The real science behind peptides, hormone therapy, and what "enhancement" actually means- The truth about money, purpose, and why the narrative that rich people are evil is destroying society- The double standard that NOBODY in the media is talking about in the wake of the Enhanced Games Christian doesn't hold back. This is one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've had on the podcast.

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4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Being STRONG is more than just how much weight you can lift. The Strong New York Podcast is dedicated to inspiring you to become your strongest self- in the gym, in business, in relationships and in life. Join Kenny as he sits down with his strong as f**k buddies and shoots the shit on what it takes to be strong willed, strong minded and physically strong. Season one features everyone from entrepreneurs and local business owners to doctors and industry leaders in the fitness and wellness space. With over a decade of experience, Kenny Santucci has made himself known as one of New York City’s top trainers and a thought leader in the health and wellness industry. After transforming his life at 15 years old through fitness, Kenny made it his mission to transform the lives of those around him. Kenny has trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, and Frank Ocean, and has been tapped as a fitness expert sharing his training approach with Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Runner's World, SHAPE, Well+Good, among other publications. Kenny is the creator of STRONG New York, NYC's only Health and Fitness Expo. Strong New York is an immersive day of workouts, wellness experiences, panel discussions, and inspiring conversations with the best in-class wellness professionals, industry leaders, and change makers who are sharing their expertise on today's hottest wellness trends and first-hand experiences on how to optimize your overall health and life. You can find Kenny at The Strength Club, his private training and group strength training facility in the heart of Manhattan located on 28th and 5th Ave in New York City.

Information

  • Creator
    Kenny Santucci
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kenny Santucci
  • Show Website
    The Strong New York Podcast

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